Tube socket having attachment tabs



R. B. SHULTERS 2,960,676

TUBE SOCKET HAVING ATTACHMENT TABS Nov. 15, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

BY W6: 511mm ATTORN E'Y Nov. 15, 1960 v R. B. SHULTERS Q 2,960,676

v TUBE SOCKET HAVING ATTACHMENT TABS Filed July 11, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent TUBE SOCKET HAVING ATTACHMENT TABS Robert B. Shulters, Spring Lake, Micin, assignr to Gardner-Denver Company, Quincy, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed July '11, 1955, Ser. No. 521,156

'4 Claims. (Cl. 339-131) This invention relates to the attachment of base elements for electrical equipment and more. particularly to the use of twisted prongs as a means of anchoring the base to a chassis or frame.

The use of this invention adapts the twisted tab method of installation to standard types of components with a minimum use of materials and parts. The total area of metal required to produce the installation prongs is reduced to a minimum because all necessity for a large metal base or ring to attach the prongs to the base component is eliminated.

This invention provides the further advantage of adapting the assembly of the installation prongs to the base by mass production, high speed assembly equipment now used for assembling this type of equipment.

This invention provides a quick and positive means of attachment and simultaneously provides a means by which the chassis may be easily grounded through the prong member.

These and other objects and purposes'of this invention will be immediately seen by those acquainted with the use and manufacture of electronic equipment of this type upon reading the following specification and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a block-like, molded base equipped with this invention showing the base i.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the prong adapted for use with the base illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation view of the base taken along the plane 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of a laminated type base equipped with this invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation view taken along the plane 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of this invention, adapted to the laminated type socket base.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation view taken along the plane 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a modified form of a molded base equipped with this invention.

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation view taken along the plane 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the same plane as Fig. 4 but looking in the opposite direction and illustrating the prong before twisting.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a cast or molded base which is normally, although not necessarily, of a synthetic resin material such as a molded phenolic. The base 10 has a pair of apertures 11 extending through it, one adjacent each end. The apertures are of rectangular cross section to receive the'hereinafter described prongs. The apertures 11 extend from the rear face to the forward face and at a point intermediate the faces have a step forming a shoulder 12.

The base has an upstanding central boss 13 which, as is shown in Fig. 2, projects through the chassis 16. The boss 13 has a plurality of holes 14, preferably arranged in a circle, for receiving the prongs on the base of an electronic tube. Seated in the rear portion of each hole 14 is a terminal element 15, the upper portion of which is received into the base and serves as a means of gripping and contacting the prongs on the electronic tube. The rearward portion of each terminal element 15 projects below the base and serves as a means for attaching the necessary conductors.

The base 10 is secured to a chassis or frame 16 which may be of any material but is normally of metal. The chassis 16 has a pair of rectangular openings 17 spaced to align with the apertures 11 in the base 10.

Seated in each of the apertures 11 is a prong 20. The prong 20 has a main body portion having a pair of laterally extending wings 21 adapted to seat against the shoulder 12 of the apertures 11.

One of the wings is partially slit adjacent its outer edge to form an outwardly inclined tab 26. The tab 26 serves to secure the prong to the base 10 at the time of assembly as explained later. It will be recognized that while one tab 26 is illustrated, that two of them may be used, one on each of the wings.

The prong has a head portion 22 partially severed by the cuts 23 from the rest of the prong whereby after installation it may be twisted and permanently deformed as a means of anchoring the base to the chassis 16; The cuts 23 by which the head 22 is partially severed provide a pair of wings or tips 24 which, when the head has been twisted, form a means of locking the head against return to its original position (Fig. 2).

The cuts 23 are separated from the main body of the prong by a neck portion 25 having a length normally equal to the thickness of the material in the chassis 16. The wings 21 of the prong are separated from the neck portion 25 by an intermediate portion 29 adapted to seat in the forward portion of the apertures 11 of the base 10.

Projecting from the main body of the prong, oppositely from the head 22, is the terminal portion 27 serving as a means by which a ground wire 28 (Fig. 1) may be secured by soldering or wrapping.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modified form of the base and prong arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 through 4. In this case, the molded base 1011 has ends of reduced width. In order to fit the prong 20a into the narrower ends of the base 10a, the width of the prong 20a is reduced by making the intermediate portion 29 the same width as the head 22 and reducing the wings 21 to the same width as the intermediate portion of the prong 20. Otherwise the prong 20a operates and functions in the same manner as the prong 20. To accommodate the prong 20a, the apertures 11a in the base 10a have a step forming a shoulder 12 but the overall width of the base is less.

Figs. 5 through 8 illustrate the application of this invention to a laminated type base for an electronic tube. Referring specifically to Fig. 5, the sheet-like plate elements 41 and 42 are normally of a non-conductive rigid plastic material such as a hard fabric reinforced resin of the type sold under the name Micarta. The upper plate 41 has a plurality of holes for receiving the prongs of an electronic tube. The lower plate has a corresponding group'of holes for receiving the terminal ele' ments $3, each of which has a depending portion adapted to provide a connection for an electrical conductor either by soldering or wrapping. 'The upper portion of each of the terminal elements 43 has a portion 44 clamped between the plates 41 and 42 and serving as the means by lvjvhich these elements are assembled and secured to the ase.

Each of the plates 41 and 42 at each end is provided with an aperture 45, corresponding apertures in the two plates being aligned. Seated in each aligned pair of apertures 45 is a prong 46 having a partially severed, twistable head 47, a necked-down, intermediate or central section 48 Seating within the apertures 45 and a pair of ears 49 on the lower end. The cars 49 are designed to be bent over in opposite directions and to press firmly against the rear or lower plate 42.

Between the intermediate section 48 and the cuts 50 by which the twistable head 47 of the prong is partially severed from the main body of the prong, the prong has a pair of laterally projecting wings 51 designed to bear against the top surface of the upper plate 41. The thickness of the wings 51 is approximately equal to the thickness to the material of the chassis or frame to which the base component is to be attached. The shoulders formed by the wings 51 and the bent over ears 49 together serve as the means for assembling the plates 41 and 42, keeping them from separating and locking the terminal elements 43 into their assembled position.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of the arrangement shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The base 40 illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is identical to the base 40 illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The prongs 46a are identical to the prongs 46 except that on the rear end of the prong only one ear 49 is provided for anchoring the prong and securing the plates 41 and 42 in assembled position. Instead of the second ear 49, the prong has a downwardly projecting end portion 55 serving as a ground terminal to which a ground wire may be secured by soldering or wrapping.

The prongs 20, a, 46 and 46a are fabricated from a deformable, metallic material. It is necessary that the material be metallic in order to provide an electrical conductor. It is necessary that the material be deform able so that upon twisting of the partially severed head portion, the head will take a permanent set and have no tendency to spring back to its original shape.

It will be recognized that in those situations in which it is desired to use this particular invention solely for the purpose of mounting and securing the base elements and the prongs are not used as a means of grounding the chassis or for any other purpose requiring electrical conductivity the prongs may be made of any non-electrically conductive material having a low elastic limit and thus capable of being permanently deformed to effect the installation of the part.

Operation The prongs, irrespective of the type of base with which they are used, are attached to the base by a sub-assembly process. Although not necessarily so, it is considered a preferred procedure to assemble them to the base at the same time the terminal elements are secured to the base. They are adapted to affixation to the base by the same type of high speed, automatic, assembly machines currently in use for assembling the terminal elements and the base.

In the case of the molded plastic base 10, the prong, in the form illustrated in Fig. 3, is merely inserted into the openings 11 from the back. In this process, the tab 26 gouges slightly into the walls of the opening 11, anchoring the prong with sufficient firmness that it will not disengage prior to the installation of the entire component to the chassis.

When the assembled base is installed, the base is placed against the back of the chassis and the prongs 20 and 20a passed through the openings 17. The head portion 22 of the prongs is then gripped by a suitable tool such as the tab setting tool'illustrated in co-pending application Serial No. 512,048, filed May 31, 1955, now Patent No.

2,803,286, in which the inventors are John R. Bos and Robert B. Shulters. This tool grasps the heads 22 and twists them up to or more degrees, permanently deforming them and causing the tips 24 to firmly engage the surface of the chassis 16. This operation pulls the base 10 tightly against the back face of the chassis because it pulls the wings 21 of the prongs firmly against the shoulders 12 of the base.

Thereafter, if it is desired to ground the chassis, this may be done by attaching the ground wires 28 to the grounding terminal 27 of the prongs. The prongs provide a highly satisfactory conductor for grounding the chassis since they firmly engage the chassis assuring a good electrical connection. This arrangement eliminates the necessity of providing auxiliary means for grounding the chassis.

The operation of the prongs illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 is the same except that the prong serves as the means of holding the plates 4-1 and 42 firmly assembled so that they will not become separated nor will they permit the terminal elements 43 to become disengaged. The mounting of the laminated type base 40 to the chassis with either the prongs 46 or 46a is identical to the method used for mounting the base 10 by means of the prongs 28. The same tool may be employed for twisting the heads 47.

The prongs utilized in the construction illustrated in Figs. 5 through 8 must be of sufficiently strong material that the ears 49 will not fail under the pull exerted by the twisting of the heads 47. This, however, is merely a routine matter of choosing materials of the proper type and thickness.

It will be recognized that this invention provides a quick, inexpensive and effective arrangement by which small, electrical components may be permanently and firmly secured to a chassis or other supporting structure. While this invention has been described as applied to a base socket for an electronic tube, it will be recognized that it is equally applicable to the mounting of numerous types of electrical components such as condensers, switches, rheostats and resistors, merely to name a few. This invention is not to be considered as limited to any particular type of electrical component so long as it is capable of providing a rapid, inexpensive and satisfactory means of securing the component to its supporting Structure.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be recognized that various modifications of this invention may be made. Each of these modifications which may be made without departing from the principles of the invention are to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In means for anchoring a base for an electrical element, said base being a block-like body having front and rear faces, the combination comprising: said body having a pair of spaced apertures each opening through both of said faces; said apertures each having a step therein forming a shoulder intermediate their ends and directed toward said rear face; a prong of deformable material received into each of said apertures; each of said prongs having a laterally projecting wing adapted to seat against said shoulders; said prongs each having a portion projecting outwardly from the front face of said base, said portion being partially severed adjacent said front face of said base whereby said portion may be deformed by twisting; means on said wings projecting toward said rear face and adapted to frictionally engage the walls of said apertures for preventing disengagement of said prongs from said base.

2. In means for anchoring a base for an electrical element, said base being a block-like body having front and rear faces, the combination comprising: said body having a pair of spaced apertures each opening through both of said faces; said apertures each having a step therein forming a shoulder intermediate its ends and directed toward said rear face; a prong of deformable material received into each of said apertures; each of said prongs having a laterally projecting wing adapted to seat against said shoulders; said prongs each having a portion projecting outwardly from the front face of said base, said portion being partially severed adjacent said front face of said base whereby said portion may be deformed by twisting; a tab on a wing of each of said prongs projecting outwardly therefrom and away from said outward projecting portion and having an edge portion adapted to frictionally engage said base and prevent disengagement of said prongs from said base.

3. In means for anchoring a base for an electrical element, said base being a block-like body having front and rear faces, the combination comprising: said body having a pair of spaced apertures each opening through both of said faces; said apertures each having a step therein forming a shoulder intermediate its ends and directed toward said rear face; a prong of deformable material received into each of said apertures; each of said prongs having a laterally projecting wing adapted to seat against said shoulders; said prongs each having a portion projecting outwardly from the front face of said base, said portion being partially severed adjacent said front face of said base whereby said portion may be deformed by twisting; said prongs each having a second portion projecting outwardly from the rear face of said base and adapted to serve as a ground terminal; means on said prongs projecting toward said rear face of said base frictionally engaging the walls of said apertures for preventing the disengagement of said prongs from said base.

4. Means for anchoring a base for an electrical element, said base having a pair of elongated slot-like spaced apertures therethrough, said means comprising: a prong of deformable material received into each of said apertures; said prong having a wing member engaging said base; a tab on said prong projecting outwardly therefrom and having an edge portion adapted to frictionally engage the walls of said apertures and prevent disengagement of said prong from said base; both ends of said prong projecting beyond the surfaces of said base; the end of said prongs remote from said tab being partially severed adjacent said base whereby said end may be deformed by twisting.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,937,322 Johnson Nov. 28, 1933 2,191,871 Sutter Feb. 27, 1940 2,200,332 Henning May 14, 1940 2,201,611 Del Camp May 21, 1940 2,519,121 Del Camp Aug. 15, 1950 2,616,643 Budd Nov. 4, 1952 2,715,714 Pavlinetz Aug. 16, 1955 2,722,669 Rudolph Nov. 1, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 544,080 Great Britain Mar. 26, 1942 584,884 Great Britain Ian. 24, 1947 663,684 Great Britain Dec. 27, 1951 

